[Senate Report 111-135]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


                                                       Calendar No. 285
111th Congress  }                                        {       Report
  2d Session    }             SENATE                     {      111-135
=======================================================================
 
   RIO GRANDE DEL NORTE NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA ESTABLISHMENT ACT 

                                _______
                                

                 March 2, 2010.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

   Mr. Bingaman, from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                         [To accompany S. 874]

    The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was 
referred the bill (S. 874) to establish El Rio Grande Del Norte 
National Conservation Area in the State of New Mexico, and for 
other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably 
thereon with an amendment and an amendment to the title and 
recommends that the bill, as amended, do pass.
    The amendments are as follows:
    1. Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert in 
lieu thereof the following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Rio Grande del Norte National 
Conservation Area Establishment Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

  In this Act:
          (1) Conservation area.--The term ``Conservation Area'' means 
        the Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area established 
        by section 3(a)(1).
          (2) Land grant community.--The term ``land grant community'' 
        means a member of the Board of Trustees of confirmed and 
        nonconfirmed community land grants within the Conservation 
        Area.
          (3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means the 
        management plan for the Conservation Area developed under 
        section 3(d).
          (4) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled ``Rio 
        Grande del Norte National Conservation Area'' and dated 
        November 4, 2009.
          (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
        the Interior.
          (6) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of New Mexico.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA.

  (a) Establishment.--
          (1) In general.--There is established the Rio Grande del 
        Norte National Conservation Area in the State.
          (2) Area included.--The Conservation Area shall consist of 
        approximately 235,980 acres of public land in Taos and Rio 
        Arriba counties in the State, as generally depicted on the map.
  (b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Conservation Area are to conserve, 
protect, and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and 
future generations the cultural, archaeological, natural, ecological, 
geological, historical, wildlife, educational, recreational, and scenic 
resources of the Conservation Area.
  (c) Management.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary shall manage the Conservation 
        Area--
                  (A) in a manner that conserves, protects, and 
                enhances the resources of the Conservation Area; and
                  (B) in accordance with--
                          (i) the Federal Land Policy and Management 
                        Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.);
                          (ii) this Act; and
                          (iii) any other applicable laws.
          (2) Uses.--
                  (A) In general.--The Secretary shall allow only such 
                uses of the Conservation Area that the Secretary 
                determines would further the purposes described in 
                subsection (b).
                  (B) Use of motorized vehicles.--
                          (i) In general.--Except as needed for 
                        administrative purposes or to respond to an 
                        emergency, the use of motorized vehicles in the 
                        Conservation Area shall be permitted only on 
                        roads designated for use by motorized vehicles 
                        in the management plan.
                          (ii) New roads.--No additional road shall be 
                        built within the Conservation Area after the 
                        date of enactment of this Act unless the road 
                        is needed for public safety or natural resource 
                        protection.
                  (C) Grazing.--The Secretary shall permit grazing 
                within the Conservation Area, where established before 
                the date of enactment of this Act--
                          (i) subject to all applicable laws (including 
                        regulations) and Executive orders; and
                          (ii) consistent with the purposes described 
                        in subsection (b).
                  (D) Collection of pinon nuts and firewood.--Nothing 
                in this Act precludes the traditional collection of 
                firewood and pinon nuts for noncommercial personal use 
                within the Conservation Area--
                          (i) in accordance with any applicable laws; 
                        and
                          (ii) subject to such terms and conditions as 
                        the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
                  (E) Utility right-of-way upgrades.--Nothing in this 
                Act precludes the Secretary from renewing or 
                authorizing the upgrading (including widening) of an 
                existing utility right-of-way through the Conservation 
                Area in a manner that minimizes harm to the purposes of 
                the Conservation Area described in subsection (b)--
                          (i) in accordance with--
                                  (I) the National Environmental Policy 
                                Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); 
                                and
                                  (II) any other applicable law; and
                          (ii) subject to such terms and conditions as 
                        the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
                  (F) Tribal cultural uses.--
                          (i) Access.--The Secretary shall, in 
                        consultation with Indian tribes or pueblos--
                                  (I) ensure the protection of 
                                religious and cultural sites; and
                                  (II) provide access to the sites by 
                                members of Indian tribes or pueblos for 
                                traditional cultural and customary 
                                uses, consistent with Public Law 95-341 
                                (commonly known as the ``American 
                                Indian Religious Freedom Act'') (42 
                                U.S.C. 1996).
                          (ii) Temporary closures.--In accordance with 
                        Public Law 95-341 (commonly known as the 
                        ``American Indian Religious Freedom Act'') (42 
                        U.S.C. 1996), the Secretary, on request of an 
                        Indian tribe or pueblo, may temporarily close 
                        to general public use 1 or more specific areas 
                        of the Conservation Area in order to protect 
                        traditional cultural and customary uses in 
                        those areas by members of the Indian tribe or 
                        the pueblo.
  (d) Management Plan.--
          (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a management 
        plan for the Conservation Area.
          (2) Other plans.--To the extent consistent with this Act, the 
        plan may incorporate in the management plan the Rio Grande 
        Corridor Management Plan in effect on the date of enactment of 
        this Act.
          (3) Consultation.--The management plan shall be developed in 
        consultation with--
                  (A) State and local governments;
                  (B) tribal governmental entities;
                  (C) land grant communities; and
                  (D) the public.
          (4) Considerations.--In preparing and implementing the 
        management plan, the Secretary shall consider the 
        recommendations of Indian tribes and pueblos on methods for--
                  (A) ensuring access to religious and cultural sites;
                  (B) enhancing the privacy and continuity of 
                traditional cultural and religious activities in the 
                Conservation Area; and
                  (C) protecting traditional cultural and religious 
                sites in the Conservation Area.
  (e) Incorporation of Acquired Land and Interests in Land.--Any land 
that is within the boundary of the Conservation Area that is acquired 
by the United States shall--
          (1) become part of the Conservation Area; and
          (2) be managed in accordance with--
                  (A) this Act; and
                  (B) any other applicable laws.
  (f) Special Management Areas.--
          (1) In general.--The establishment of the Conservation Area 
        shall not change the management status of any area within the 
        boundary of the Conservation Area that is--
                  (A) designated as a component of the National Wild 
                and Scenic Rivers System under the Wild and Scenic 
                Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.); or
                  (B) managed as an area of critical environmental 
                concern.
          (2) Conflict of laws.--If there is a conflict between the 
        laws applicable to the areas described in paragraph (1) and 
        this Act, the more restrictive provision shall control.

SEC. 4. DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS AREAS.

  (a) In General.--In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
1131 et seq.), the following areas in the Conservation Area are 
designated as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness 
Preservation System:
          (1) Cerro del yuta wilderness.--Certain land administered by 
        the Bureau of Land Management in Taos County, New Mexico, 
        comprising approximately 13,420 acres as generally depicted on 
        the map, which shall be known as the ``Cerro del Yuta 
        Wilderness''.
          (2) Rio san antonio wilderness.--Certain land administered by 
        the Bureau of Land Management in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, 
        comprising approximately 8,000 acres, as generally depicted on 
        the map, which shall be known as the ``Rio San Antonio 
        Wilderness''.
  (b) Management of Wilderness Areas.--Subject to valid existing 
rights, the wilderness areas designated by subsection (a) shall be 
administered in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et 
seq.) and this Act, except that with respect to the wilderness areas 
designated by this Act--
          (1) any reference to the effective date of the Wilderness Act 
        shall be considered to be a reference to the date of enactment 
        of this Act; and
          (2) any reference in the Wilderness Act to the Secretary of 
        Agriculture shall be considered to be a reference to the 
        Secretary.
  (c) Incorporation of Acquired Land and Interests in Land.--Any land 
or interest in land within the boundary of the wilderness areas 
designated by subsection (a) that is acquired by the United States 
shall--
          (1) become part of the wilderness area in which the land is 
        located; and
          (2) be managed in accordance with--
                  (A) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.);
                  (B) this Act; and
                  (C) any other applicable laws.
  (d) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in the wilderness areas designated 
by subsection (a), where established before the date of enactment of 
this Act, shall be administered in accordance with--
          (1) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
        1133(d)(4)); and
          (2) the guidelines set forth in Appendix A of the Report of 
        the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs to accompany H.R. 
        2570 of the 101st Congress (H. Rept. 101-405).
  (e) Buffer Zones.--
          (1) In general.--Nothing in this section creates a protective 
        perimeter or buffer zone around any wilderness area designated 
        by subsection (a).
          (2) Activities outside wilderness areas.--The fact that an 
        activity or use on land outside any wilderness area designated 
        by subsection (a) can be seen or heard within the wilderness 
        area shall not preclude the activity or use outside the 
        boundary of the wilderness area.
  (f) Release of Wilderness Study Areas.--Congress finds that, for 
purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the public land within the San Antonio 
Wilderness Study Area not designated as wilderness by this section--
          (1) has been adequately studied for wilderness designation;
          (2) is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal 
        Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)); and
          (3) shall be managed in accordance with this Act.

SEC. 5. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

  (a) Maps and Legal Descriptions.--
          (1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file the map and 
        legal descriptions of the Conservation Area and the wilderness 
        areas designated by section 4(a) with--
                  (A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
                the Senate; and
                  (B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House 
                of Representatives.
          (2) Force of law.--The map and legal descriptions filed under 
        paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if 
        included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct 
        errors in the legal description and map.
          (3) Public availability.--The map and legal descriptions 
        filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for 
        public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Bureau of 
        Land Management.
  (b) National Landscape Conservation System.--The Conservation Area 
and the wilderness areas designated by section 4(a) shall be 
administered as components of the National Landscape Conservation 
System.
  (c) Fish and Wildlife.--Nothing in this Act affects the jurisdiction 
of the State with respect to fish and wildlife located on public land 
in the State, except that the Secretary, after consultation with the 
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, may designate zones where, and 
establishing periods when, hunting shall not be allowed for reasons of 
public safety, administration, or public use and enjoyment.
  (d) Withdrawals.--Subject to valid existing rights, any Federal land 
within the Conservation Area and the wilderness areas designated by 
section 4(a), including any land or interest in land that is acquired 
by the United States after the date of enactment of this Act, is 
withdrawn from--
          (1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land 
        laws;
          (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
          (3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and 
        geothermal leasing laws.
  (e) Treaty Rights.--Nothing in this Act enlarges, diminishes, or 
otherwise modifies any treaty rights.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to 
carry out this Act.

  2. Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill to establish the 
Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area in the State of 
New Mexico, and for other purposes.''.

                                PURPOSE

    The purpose of S. 874 is to establish the approximately 
235,980-acre Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area 
and to designate the 13,420-acre Cerro del Yuta Wilderness and 
8,000-acre Rio San Antonio Wilderness in New Mexico.

                          BACKGROUND AND NEED

    S. 874, as ordered reported, would designate as the Rio 
Grande del Norte National Conservation Area approximately 
235,980 acres of public land managed by the Bureau of Land 
Management in northern New Mexico, including two wilderness 
areas--the 8,000-acre Rio San Antonio Wilderness, currently 
administered as a Wilderness Study Area, and the 13,420-acre 
Cerro del Yuta Wilderness.
    The National Conservation Area contains high mesa 
sagebrush-grasslands interspersed with extinct volcanic cinder 
cones covered by pinon juniper woodlands. It also incorporates 
the upper reaches of the Rio Grande Gorge, previously 
designated as a Wild and Scenic River. The plateau provides 
habitat for bighorn sheep, deer, elk, and antelope, and 
breeding ground for raptors that hunt throughout the area, 
including peregrine falcons, golden eagles, and bald eagles. 
The riparian area along the Rio Grande provides habitat for 
brown trout and the federally-listed endangered southwestern 
willow flycatcher.
    The Conservation Area contains archeological, cultural, and 
historic resources relating to the settlement of the region by 
both indigenous populations and later by early Hispanic 
settlers. Today, residents and visitors alike use this area for 
hunting, fishing, river rafting, hiking, and other recreational 
activities.

                          LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

    S. 874 was introduced on April 23, 2009, by Senators 
Bingaman and Udall of New Mexico. On June 17, 2009, the 
Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests held a hearing on the 
bill (S. Hrg. 111-65). At its business meeting on December 16, 
2009, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources ordered S. 
874 favorably reported with an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in an 
open business session on December 16, 2009, by voice vote of a 
quorum present, recommends that the Senate pass S. 874, if 
amended as described herein.

                          COMMITTEE AMENDMENT

    During the consideration of S. 874, the Committee adopted 
an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The amendment 
modifies the name of the Conservation Area to the Rio Grande 
del Norte National Conservation Area, updates the map to 
reflect the name change, clarifies a provision relating to 
utility rights-of-way within the Conservation Area, and makes 
several other technical and conforming amendments. The 
amendment is explained in detail in the section-by-section 
analysis, below.

                      SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

    Section 1 provides the short title.
    Section 2 defines key terms used in the bill.
    Section 3(a) establishes the Rio Grande del Norte National 
Conservation Area (Conservation Area) on approximately 235,980 
acres of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management 
in Taos and Rio Arriba counties in the State of New Mexico. No 
tribal land is included within the boundary of the Conservation 
Area, and where the Conservation Area is adjacent to land that 
is held in trust for the Taos Pueblo, the boundary of the 
Conservation Area is the centerline of the Rio Grande.
    Subsection (b) describes the purposes for which the 
Conservation Area is established, which are to conserve, 
protect, and enhance the area's cultural, archaeological, 
natural, ecological, historical, wildlife, educational, 
recreational, and scenic resources.
    Subsection (c)(1) directs the Secretary of the Interior 
(Secretary) to administer the Conservation Area in a manner 
that protects the resources of the Conservation Area and in 
accordance with the laws and regulations applicable to public 
land, this Act, and other applicable laws.
    Paragraph (2) directs the Secretary to allow only such uses 
that further the purposes of the Conservation Area and provides 
the Secretary with direction with regard to the management of 
motorized vehicles, grazing, the collection of pinon nuts and 
firewood, utility right-of-way upgrades, and tribal cultural 
uses. The Committee notes that the Bureau of Land Management 
currently authorizes the collection of medicinal plants and 
herbs and conducts sales of surplus firewood from restoration 
projects consistent with the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act of 1976 and the Rio Grande Corridor Management Plan, and 
the BLM retains that authority, consistent with the purposes of 
this Act.
    Subsection (d) requires the Secretary to develop a 
management plan for the Conservation Area within three years 
after the date of enactment of this Act and allows the 
Secretary to incorporate the Rio Grande Corridor Management 
Plan, to the extent consistent with this Act.
    The subsection further requires the Secretary to develop 
the management plan in consultation with state and local 
governments, tribal governments, land grant communities, and 
the public, and to consider the recommendation of Indian tribes 
and pueblos with respect to access and protection of religious 
and cultural sites, and enhancing the privacy and continuity of 
cultural and religious activities within the Conservation Area.
    The Committee recognizes that the Bureau of Land Management 
and Taos Pueblo currently work cooperatively with regard to 
recreation and natural resource management along the shared 
boundary of the Rio Grande. In preparing and implementing the 
management plan, the Committee encourages the Bureau of Land 
Management to continue to work cooperatively to the maximum 
extent possible with tribes and pueblos in the vicinity of the 
Conservation Area.
    Subsection (e) states that any land that is acquired within 
the boundary of the Conservation Area shall become part of the 
Conservation Area and managed accordingly.
    Subsection (f) clarifies that the establishment of the 
Conservation Area does not alter the management status of areas 
within the boundaries designated as a component of the Wild and 
Scenic Rivers System or as an area of critical environmental 
concern, and if there is a conflict between this Act and those 
designations, the more restrictive provision controls.
    Section 4(a) designates approximately 13,420 acres and 
8,000 acres of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management as 
the Cerro del Yuta Wilderness and Rio San Antonio Wilderness, 
respectively.
    Subsection (b) states that the wilderness areas shall be 
administered in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
1131 et seq.).
    Subsection (c) states that any land that is acquired within 
the boundary of the wilderness areas shall become part of the 
wilderness area in which the land is located and managed 
accordingly.
    Subsection (d) provides for the administration of livestock 
grazing in the wilderness areas where established before the 
date of enactment of the Act, in accordance with section 
4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(4)) and the 
wilderness grazing guidelines.
    Subsection (e) states that the designation of the 
wilderness areas shall not create a protective perimeter or 
buffer zone around the area or limit authorized land uses or 
activities outside the wilderness areas.
    Subsection (f) releases from Wilderness Study Area status 
land within the San Antonio Wilderness Study Area that is not 
designated as wilderness by this Act.
    Section 5(a) directs the Secretary to develop a map and 
legal description of the Conservation Area and wilderness areas 
and to make it available to the public as soon as practicable 
after the date of enactment of this Act.
    Subsection (b) states that the Conservation Area and 
wilderness areas shall be administered as components of the 
National Landscape Conservation System.
    Subsection (c) clarifies that nothing in the Act affects 
the State of New Mexico's jurisdiction with respect to fish and 
wildlife, except that zones may be established where hunting is 
not allowed for reasons of public safety, administration, or 
public use and enjoyment.
    Subsection (d) withdraws, subject to valid existing rights, 
the Conservation Area and wilderness areas from: entry, 
appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws; 
location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and 
operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and 
geothermal leasing laws.
    Subsection (e) states that nothing in this Act enlarges, 
diminishes, or otherwise modifies any treaty rights.
    Section 6 authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are 
necessary to implement the Act.

                   COST AND BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS

    The following estimate of costs of this measure has been 
provided by the Congressional Budget Office:

S. 874--Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment 
        Act

    S. 874 would establish the Rio Grande del Norte National 
Conservation Area (NCA) on land administered by the Bureau of 
Land Management (BLM) in New Mexico. Based on information 
provided by BLM, CBO estimates that enacting S. 874 would have 
no effect on revenues or direct spending and no significant 
effect on discretionary spending.
    The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and 
would impose no costs on state, local; or tribal governments.
    Under S. 874, nearly 236,000 acres of public land would be 
designated as the Rio Grande del Norte NCA, and about 21,000 
acres of that area would be designated as part of the National 
Wilderness Preservation System. BLM, which manages the affected 
acreage, would be required to update existing management plans 
for the area. Finally, the acreage would not be available for 
the development of natural resources but would still be 
available for grazing under existing agreements.
    Because the affected acreage is already protected for 
conservation or wilderness values, CBO estimates that 
implementing the bill would have no significant effect on the 
cost of administering the area. We further estimate that any 
costs to update the management plan for the property or modify 
existing maps and other materials would be minimal. Finally, 
because the affected land currently produces no income (and is 
not expected to do so in the future), we estimate that enacting 
the bill would not affect revenues or direct spending.
    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Deborah Reis. 
The estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

                      REGULATORY IMPACT EVALUATION

    In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following 
evaluation of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in 
carrying out S. 874.
    The bill is not a regulatory measure in the sense of 
imposing Government-established standards or significant 
economic responsibilities on private individuals and 
businesses.
    No personal information would be collected in administering 
the program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal 
privacy.
    Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the 
enactment of S. 874.

                        EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

    The testimony provided by the Bureau of Land Management at 
the June 17, 2009 subcommittee hearing on S. 874 follows.

Statement of Ned Farquhar, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Land & Minerals 
                 Management, Department of the Interior

    Thank you for the opportunity to testify on S. 874, El Rio 
Grande Del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act. 
The Department of the Interior supports S. 874, which 
designates the nearly 236,000-acre El Rio Grande Del Norte 
National Conservation Area (NCA) in northern New Mexico as well 
as two wilderness areas within the NCA.


                               background


    The proposed El Rio Grande del Norte NCA lies north of Taos 
on the border with Colorado and straddles Taos and Rio Arriba 
Counties. The area includes the Cerro de la Olla, Cerro San 
Antonio and Cerro del Yuta volcanic cones jutting up from the 
surrounding valley--reminders of the area's turbulent geologic 
past. Between these mountains is the Rio Grande Wild & Scenic 
River gorge, carving through the landscape and revealing the 
basalt rock beneath the surface.
    The human history of the landscape is as diverse as its 
features. Early prehistoric sites attest to the importance of 
this area for hunting and as a sacred site. Today the area is 
home to members of the Taos Pueblo, as well as descendents of 
both Hispanic and American settlers. Wildlife species--
including bighorn sheep, deer, elk and antelope bring both 
hunters and wildlife watchers, while the Rio Grande and its 
tributaries provide blue ribbon trout fishing and other river 
recreation. Above it all soar the golden and bald eagles, 
prairie falcons, and other raptors.


                                 s. 874


    S. 874 designates nearly 236,000 acres of land administered 
by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as El Rio Grande del 
Norte NCA. Each of the NCAs designated by Congress and managed 
by the BLM is unique. For the most part, however, they have 
certain critical elements, which include withdrawal from the 
public land, mining and mineral leasing laws; off-highway 
vehicle use limitations; and language that charges the 
Secretary of the Interior with allowing only those uses that 
further the purposes for which the NCA is established. 
Furthermore, NCA designations should not diminish the 
protections that currently apply to the lands. Section 3 of the 
bill honors these principles, and we support the NCA's 
designation.
    Section 4 of the S. 874 designates two wilderness areas on 
BLM-managed lands within the NCA--the proposed 13,420-acre 
Cerro del Yuta Wilderness and the 8,000-acre Rio San Antonio 
Wilderness. Both of these areas meet the definitions of 
wilderness. They are largely untouched by humans, have 
outstanding opportunities for solitude and contain important 
geological, biological and scientific features--criteria 
outlined in the Wilderness Act of 1964. We support both of 
these wilderness designations as well.


                               conclusion


    Senator Bingaman's bill is the product of many years of 
discussions and collaboration with the local community, 
stakeholders, and other interested parties. It protects both 
the valuable resources of the area and the way of life in this 
unique area of northern New Mexico.
    Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of S. 
874.


                        changes in existing law


    In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee notes that no 
changes in existing law are made by the bill S. 874, as ordered 
reported.

                                  
